Nawang P Phuntsho

Tshering reading at the Center Tshering Yangzom is a 16-year-old tenth grade student at Ura Middle Secondary School. Second eldest of seven siblings, Tshering was born in Shingkhar Village, which is located about seven kilometers from Ura. Tshering’s father works as one of the cooks at Ura Middle Secondary School and her mother is a housewife. Initially, Tshering was an introvert and shy student. “I did not interact with my friends much before because I was so shy,” says Tshering. “But I kept on visiting library (Ura READ Center) every time I had free time and read books, and learnt to use computers.” Tshering Yangzom also took part in the trainings and workshops at the Ura READ Center. She participated in leadership training, art therapy and good governance. “I learnt a lot from these trainings,” says Tshering. “I feel more confident now and understand a lot about the importance of decision-making, leadership and confidence building.” Tshering now wants to help other

36-year-old Aum Selden is a mother of four and lives with her family at Changjiji Housing Complex in Thimphu. Her husband is a driver in the government department and the family sends three of their children to school. Originally from Trashigang Dzongkhag, in eastern Bhutan, Aum Selden could not go to school; instead the young girl ended up helping her parents on the farm. Aum Selden in one of the health classes “It was difficult getting around without the help of friends who could read the signs or help me fill up the forms,” says Aum Selden. “I could not even use my mobile phone. Being illiterate is like being a blind person. We always had to depend on others to show us the way and help us around.” In April 2013, a group of community women came to the Model Center, Changjiji expressing their interest to learn Basic English and accordingly in response to the women’s interest, the two center coordinators started Basic English classes to a group of 20 community women. Aum